PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +279.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $182 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1102.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 10.6 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2720QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,600 vs 11,408).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.6 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i5-13400F

2023

Core i7-2720QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +279.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $182 less on MSRP ($196 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1102.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 127.7 vs 10.6 PassMark/$ ($196 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of PGA988 and older memory support.

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Core i5-13400F needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2720QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13400F across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,600 vs 11,408).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.6 vs 127.7 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $196 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on PGA988, while Core i5-13400F moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13400F better than Core i7-2720QM?

Yes. Core i5-13400F is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 279.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data, 338.8% better Geekbench multi-core, 523.4% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-13400F is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 279.4% more average FPS across 5 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-13400F is the better fit. You are getting 338.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-13400F is the smarter buy today. Core i5-13400F is $182 cheaper on MSRP at $196 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it gives you a 279.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1102.2% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 10.6 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13400F is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2011), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of PGA988, 233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-13400F Benchmark Check

Core i7-2720QM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
1080p
low	171 FPS	100 FPS
medium	158 FPS	100 FPS
high	132 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	112 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	143 FPS	100 FPS
medium	123 FPS	100 FPS
high	99 FPS	90 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	81 FPS	66 FPS
medium	74 FPS	59 FPS
high	59 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	46 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-2720QM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
1080p
low	545 FPS	99 FPS
medium	464 FPS	87 FPS
high	389 FPS	82 FPS
ultra	356 FPS	65 FPS
1440p
low	458 FPS	86 FPS
medium	403 FPS	75 FPS
high	345 FPS	71 FPS
ultra	301 FPS	59 FPS
4K
low	280 FPS	67 FPS
medium	247 FPS	61 FPS
high	231 FPS	48 FPS
ultra	204 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-2720QM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
1080p
low	530 FPS	100 FPS
medium	449 FPS	100 FPS
high	415 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	375 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	490 FPS	100 FPS
medium	422 FPS	100 FPS
high	382 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	343 FPS	100 FPS
4K
low	393 FPS	100 FPS
medium	331 FPS	100 FPS
high	296 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	246 FPS	100 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-2720QM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
1080p
low	626 FPS	100 FPS
medium	626 FPS	100 FPS
high	626 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	626 FPS	100 FPS
1440p
low	626 FPS	100 FPS
medium	626 FPS	100 FPS
high	598 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	521 FPS	100 FPS
4K
low	535 FPS	100 FPS
medium	492 FPS	100 FPS
high	439 FPS	100 FPS
ultra	382 FPS	100 FPS

Open Core i5-13400F Open Core i7-2720QM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-13400F and Core i7-2720QM

Core i5-13400F

The Core i5-13400F is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 10 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 25,029 points. Launch price was $196.

Core i7-2720QM

The Core i7-2720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,015 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-13400F packs 10 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-2720QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-13400F has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13400F versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-2720QM — a 32.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-13400F (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-13400F uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-2720QM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13400F scores 25,029 against the Core i7-2720QM's 4,015 — a 144.7% lead for the Core i5-13400F. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,407 vs 700, a 109.9% lead for the Core i5-13400F that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,408 vs 2,600 (125.8% advantage for the Core i5-13400F). L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i5-13400F vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-2720QM.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
Cores / Threads	10 / 16+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+39%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+14%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+233%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	25,029+523%	4,015
Cinebench R23 Multi	16,211	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,407+244%	700
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,408+339%	2,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13400F uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-2720QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-13400F versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-2720QM — the Core i5-13400F supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-13400F supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13400F) vs 16 (Core i7-2720QM) — the Core i5-13400F offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,H670,Z690,B760,H770,Z790 (Core i5-13400F) and HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2720QM).

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
Socket	LGA1700	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200+67%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+500%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-2720QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i5-13400F requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-13400F targets Gaming, Core i7-2720QM targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-13400F rivals Ryzen 5 7600; Core i7-2720QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.

Feature	Core i5-13400F	Core i7-2720QM
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming	Performance Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-13400F launched at $196 MSRP, while the Core i7-2720QM debuted at $378. On MSRP ($196 vs $378), the Core i5-13400F is $182 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13400F delivers 127.7 pts/$ vs 10.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-2720QM — making the Core i5-13400F the 169.3% better value option.